Loose-leaf binder



April 25, 1944. W. P, p11-T LoosE LEAF BINDER Filed Sept.. 22, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 zN-vENToR.

" April 25, 1944.v w,`p Prr'r 2,347,278

LoosE LEAF BINDER Filed sept. 22,'1941 4 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR.

w. P. PIT-r 2,347,278

LoosE LEAF BINDER` Filed Sept. 22, 1941 April 25, 1944.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 25, 1944. w, P, |TT` 2,347,278

' i LoosE LEAF BINDER Filed sept. 22. 1941 4 Sheets-sheet 4 Patented Apr. 25, 1944 William- 1 Pitt, Union, N. J., assigner to wilsoncag'o, Ill., acorporation o! j Jones Company, Chi

Massaeliusetts-.A

Application September 22, 1941, Serial No. 411,811

' A1 claim. y (c1. 12s-37) This invention relates to a loose leaf binder and more particularly to a .binder of the type having a spring clamp bound in its back member to hold a plurality of unpunched sheets securely.

It is an object of my invention to provide a loose leaf binder that will be inexpensive to assemble and will be extremely durable in use. It is a further object of my invention to provide a loose leaf binder with spring clamp on the inside of the binder back so that the outer configuration of the back is smooth and pleasing to the eye. It is a further object of my invention to provide a loose leaf binder in which spring clamp can be mounted after the case mem-ber is completely bound. Other objects of my invention will become apparent upon reading the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a, perspective view of a binding back embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a spring clamp adapted to be mounted in the binding back;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a case member having the binding back bound therein;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the loose leaf binder after the spring clamp is mounted in the binding back;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the completed loose leaf binder in its' normal closed position;

Figure '7 is a fragmentary perspective View of a completed binder in open position;

Figure 8 is a-perspective view ofv another embodiment of the binding back showing a fragmentary portion of one of the cover members adapted to be attached to the binding back;

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 8 illustrating the manner of mounting the springclamp in the binding back;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the completed binder of the embodiment of Figure 8 in normal closed position; and

Figure 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of the binder shown in Figures 8 to 10 inclusive in open position.

In the drawings, the reference numeral 2 indicates a binding back comprising a strip 3 of chipboard or similar material reinforced along its outer longitudinal edges by strips of metal 4 and 5. 'I'he metal strips 4 and 5 are bent over the edges of the strip 3 to provide anges 6 and 'I vesp'ectively. The reference numeral 8 indicates a spring clamp having its free ends 9 and I0 urged toward each other to form a. substantially closed figure. A pair of recesses II is provided along the outer longitudinal edges of the strip 3 wherever it is desired to mount one of the spring clamps 8. The ange 'I is cut in registration with the recesses II and ears I2 are bent therefrom at right angles to the flange.

The binding back 2 is then bound into the case member, as indicated in Figures 3 and 4. The case member comprises a back section I3 of fabric, imitation leather or similar material, a pair of cover members I4, and an inner lining I5 of paper, fabric, imitation leather, or similar material. The material forming the back section I3 is extended, as indicated at IB to cover the outer surfaces of the cover members I4. The material I3 and the lining I5 cooperate to form hinge ,members I 'I between the back of the binder and the cover members.

In order to mount the spring clamps 8 in the binder a suitable tool (not shown) is inserted into the clamps to hold them open, and the free ends 9 are inserted into the recesses II in the channel formed between the metal strip 4 and the flange 6. It will be understood that the length of the recesses II is approximately the same as the width of the spring clamps 8. The ears I2 are then positioned over the free ends I0 of the spring clamps, as shown in Figure 5, and are then bent down against the ends Ill to hold the spring clamps securely in the binder. As soon as the tool for spreading the clamping members 8 is removed the spring clamps snap together to give the finished binder its normal appearance shown in Figure 6. The force of the spring clamps is sucient to hold a single sheet against removal.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 8 to 11, inclusive, the back member I8 comprises a strip I 9, of chip board or similar material, provided with a metal plate 20 riveted to each longitudinal edge, as indicated at 2|. A plurality of hinge lugs 22 is formed on the outer longitudinal edges of the plates 20, and each plate is bent to provide sheath members 23 adjacent the hinge lugs. Cover members 24 provided with complementary hinge lugs 25 are hinged to the longitudinal edges of the back member I8 by means of the hinge pintles 26. The cover members are covered on the outside with fabric, imitation leather, or any suitable material. and the back member I8 is covered with the same material, as indicated at 21.

The sheath members 23 are provided with From the foregoing it will be seen that I have devised a simple method of binding loose leaf binders that will permit replacement of any spring i clamps that might break without disturbing the binding. In order to replace a spring in the embodiment illustrated in Figures l to 7, incluv sive, it is necessary only to pry up the ear l2,

insert the new spring, and then bend thev ear back against the spring. y shown inFgures 8 to 1l, inclusive, it is neces- In the embodiment j sary only to remove the rods 29, insert the new spring and then replace the rods.

Although I have described two embodiments of my invention in detail, it will be understood that the descriptions are illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many details may be modified or changed Without departing from the spirit or scope of myv invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact details of construction described, except as limited by the appended claim.

I claim:

In a loose leaf binder, a back member completely bound in a case member, a spring clamp juxtaposed -`on said back member, and means integral with said back member and projecting therefroml for securing the ends of said spring clamp thereaganst, said spring clamp normally holding said back member in closed position.

WILLIAM P. PITT. 

